It seems like I am going to need new running shoes soon, especially before taking on a three half marathon summer that is planned. Although based on time and mileage, I shouldn’t NEED new shoes yet, but I think I do, which is why I’m opening this up to suggestions from other people. What do you wear? What do you like? What would you recommend?

My first pair of fitted running shoes were a pair of Brooks GTS Adrenaline 12’s. (My first pair of running shoes were an off the shelf pair of Saucony’s). These shoes were awesome, as if they were made just for me. I felt great running in them and (until Disney) didn’t have any knee problems or injuries. I put over 500 miles on those shoes including 3 half marathons. When they were ready to be replaced I went back and got the exact same style, just the newer model, the GTS Adrenaline 13. At first they were great, but pretty quickly I started to notice things such as them not fitting as well, not feeling as good and a spot on my right foot that’s been rubbed to a massive blister during my last two long races. I’ve put less than 300 miles on them and the right toe is split open and coming apart, my last couple long runs/races I’ve been plagued by cramps, soreness and knee pain, not all of which can be blamed on/attributed to the shoes, but that’s never a good sign. I don’t think these shoes are going to last much longer and certainly not for another 150 miles of training and three races.

Lisa is also running in a pair of Brooks that she likes but doesn’t love. She’s thinking about switching back to her Asics that she was wearing before, or maybe even try something different altogether. I love Brooks as a company, they do a lot of good things with health awareness, race sponsorship, charity work etc but maybe the shoes just aren’t for us.

I loved my first pair of Saucony’s but I don’t believe they make a support shoe that fits me. So what would you guys recommend?

Here’s the caveat – I wear a 13 Wide. Not all shoes come in 13, not all shoes come in wide. I have flat feet and therefore have a huge pronation. I need support shoes. I ran in neutral’s before I knew what I really needed and thankfully did not cause any damage/injury.

About Me

I am a recent graduate in Food Science (NC State, 2009) and I work for a major food manufacturing company. I love food, but I can no longer eat anything that crosses my path. About 24 months ago I begin a serious struggle to get my obesity under control and reduce my chances of developing Type II diabetes. Since September of '09 I have lost 50 pounds and I still have a long ways to go. I've started eating better and exercising more, including taking up running.